The World Vision Kenya in collaboration with Kenya Library Services has launched an initiative aimed at supporting Early Child Development programs in Narok County.
The initiative launched at Olonganaiyo Primary School is sponsored by Lego Foundation and Aga Khan Foundation and is expected to benefit about 2, 000 children in 20 primary schools in Narok South Sub County.
The project was launched at a time the Lego Foundation is celebrating its 90 years’ anniversary with the theme, ‘Build a world of play’ and aims at creating awareness on the importance of playing among children and their parents or caregivers.
World Vision cluster manager in charge of Narok and Bomet Counties Ms. Mirasine Meiguran said the project will be implemented in 18 months and is expected to improve the learning outcome of the targeted primary schools’ children.
She reiterated that the initiative will also strengthen the capacity of lower primary grade teachers to integrate play-based teaching and learning approaches in their classrooms.
“We aim to promote child wellbeing through sustained transformational development and facilitating the empowerment of children, especially the vulnerable children,” she added.
The occasion was attended by Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde and education officials led by Narok County Executive member in charge of Education and youth affairs Ms. Cicilia Wuapari.
Masinde praised the programme saying it will go a long way in creating a bright future for the children as play is a critical element in teaching early years’ education.
He asked schools and parents to allow children to play as they learn to improve on their education and psychological growth.
The commissioner revealed that the government was taking stock of all schools in drought-stricken areas to enable provision of a free feeding programme to keep the children in school.
Wuapari thanked the implementers of the programme for promoting education in the county and asked children to take advantage of the mobile library and also play games to benefit themselves.
The programme is also being implemented in Kakamega and Nairobi counties and targets about 6, 000 learners and 5, 000 caregivers in all the chosen counties.
By Ann Salaton
